STL Shock Finalizes MiLP Roster, Hosts Player Signing Ceremony

ST. LOUIS, MO – The St. Louis Shock has finalized its Minor League Pickleball (MiLP) program roster with 110 players, many of whom attended an official signing ceremony at Chicken N Pickle St. Charles on April 24th. The event celebrated one of the largest organized pickleball team formations in the country, establishing the Shock as pioneers in creating structured pathways between recreational and professional pickleball.

The roster is predominantly centered around the St. Louis region, but also features players spanning nine states in total including California, Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee – showcasing the nationwide attraction and appeal to the St. Louis Shock brand on and off the court.

The program’s remarkable age range is particularly unique, with team members spanning from 10 to 73 years old – showcasing pickleball's true multigenerational appeal and the Shock's commitment to inclusivity at all levels of the sport. The players will compete under the Shock brand and wear Shock branded uniforms as they compete around the country.

"My main goal is to become a pickleball pro one day. I'm honored to be representing the STL Shock and play for my city. I'm so happy that I get to be exposed to all these brilliant players," said 10-year-old Shock MiLP player Drake Vincent, the youngest member of the program.

More than 80 Shock MiLP players who had been accepted to the team attended a Player Signing Ceremony on Wednesday evening at Chicken N Pickle, where players received signed roster certificates, heard from multiple members of the Shock’s front office and staff, and received details on the coming season.

"I'm excited to join the best team. Great energy, great group of people, I really like the message behind it all, they are very encouraging to everyone," said MiLP Player from Los Angeles Sheri O'Neill who attended tryouts in St. Louis back in March and flew in for team signing day!

The Shock's MiLP roster features players across all skill levels, with DUPR ratings reaching as high as 5.624, creating competitive teams across multiple divisions. In addition to tournament play, team members will participate in community outreach initiatives throughout the year, further expanding the Shock's presence in the region.

"What we've built in just a few months exceeds our most optimistic projections," said Andrew Haines, Chief Operating Officer of the St. Louis Shock. "The response has been overwhelming, with players eager to represent the Shock brand in tournaments across the region and even nationwide. This program creates a true developmental pipeline that connects recreational players to the professional ranks, something that's been missing in pickleball until now."

The Shock MiLP teams will make their competitive debut this weekend at the MiLP State Championship in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where three Shock teams will compete in a Dream Ticket Event offering winners from each division a spot in the 2025 The Dink Minor League Pickleball National Championship.

The Shock MiLP schedule continues the following weekend with seven teams competing at The Pickleball Factory in Cape Girardeau, Missouri on May 3-4.

"This program represents our commitment to growing pickleball at all levels," added Haines. "While our MLP team competes on the sport's biggest stage, our MiLP program creates opportunities for developing players to experience team competition, receive coaching, and represent a professional organization. The enthusiasm we've seen from players and sponsors alike confirms we're building something special."

The organization also announced that sponsorship opportunities for the MiLP program are available, offering businesses unique access to this rapidly growing pickleball community.

About the St. Louis Shock: The St. Louis Shock is a professional pickleball team competing in Major League Pickleball (MLP). Since its founding in 2023, the team has experienced explosive growth, quickly establishing itself as an innovative leader both on and off the court. The Shock continues to set the pace for the sport's expansion through cutting-edge community events, youth development programs, and championship-caliber professional competition.

About Major League Pickleball (MLP presented by DoorDash): Founded in 2021, Major League Pickleball (MLP presented by DoorDash) is the preeminent, coed, team-based professional pickleball league, featuring over 100 of the best athletes across 22 teams, iconic team owners, and the most electric live events and fan experience in the sport. In 2024, MLP and the PPA Tour merged under the newly-formed United Pickleball Association (UPA), bringing together the leading professional pickleball organizations under a single entity. Visit the official website and follow MLP on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube for more.

About MiLP: Minor League Pickleball (MiLP), owned and operated by DUPR (Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating), is the premier amateur pickleball tour and a one-of-a-kind platform offering players a “play like the pros” experience. Modeled after Major League Pickleball, MiLP has been empowering amateur teams to compete at the highest level for several years. Teams participate in a series of local events that culminate in the highly anticipated Nationals event each year. With its unique team-based format, Minor League Pickleball has not only grown to become the largest amateur pickleball tour but has also served as a proving ground for future professional players. Notable alumni like Connor Garnett have made the leap to the pro ranks, showcasing the league’s ability to develop talent. Whether you’re aiming to sharpen your skills or compete for glory, Minor League Pickleball is the ultimate pathway for passionate players to elevate their game.